The last man was the first fair-skinned Mesopotamian god I'd yet to meet. This man was dressed as modernly as the god with the blue eyes and had a hairstyle to match, if a little on the longish side. His hair was spun sunlight; that golden blond so pale that it shines all on its own. Just a step below platinum. Despite his coloring, his features matched the other two; wide brow, large eyes, strong nose, and full lips. But his eyes made me shiver. A pale gray, nearly white, they gave the illusion that he was blind. But when he focused that stare on me, the gray darkened and shifted, reminding me of Whirlwind. A storm god then.
“Dark Star, these are the most respected gods of the Mesopotamian Pantheon,” Sin declared when they reached the dais steps. “Anu,” he waved at the ancient one. “Enki,” a flick toward the one with the blue eyes. “And Enlil,” a final gesture toward the Storm God.
“Welcome and thank you for trusting me enough to enter my stronghold.” I nodded to them. “I expect that you have questions for me.”
“Questions?” Anu made a sound of disbelief. “We've come to demand that you leave Bahrain at once. This is our land and our people. We won't allow you to abuse them.”
Viper and Snake hissed at Anu while Beast and Hound growled then Storm and Whirlwind buffeted the room with a blast of frigid air as thunder boomed above us. Sea and Scorpion only grinned at the visiting gods but theirs were the most intimidating reactions of all. The gleeful menace and utter inhumanity in their eyes were even more frightening than the sharp teeth showcased by their smiles. Enlil and Enki went still, exchanging wary looks, but Anu only got angrier.
“Your pets don't scare me, bitch,” Anu sneered. “How dare you come here and wreck the peace we have with the humans! This has been our home for thousands of years, and you think you can saunter in and snatch it up in a day? No, no, no, little girl, that won't work here. This is our land, find somewhere else to play.”
I started to laugh, and everyone went still, even Anu. Because in my laughter was power. Even I could feel it echoing out of my throat and coasting through the room; vibrating over god flesh in warning. All of the Star Gods began to smile at the sound, smirk actually, and the dragon warriors made snickering chuckles.
“Little girl, am I?” I asked Anu as I lounged in my throne. “Should I have dressed up for this conversation as you have? Thrown on a crown and pretty clothes so you'd take me seriously? Look around, Anu, I don't need to play dress up. Yes, I swept in and took this place in a single day, and I formed this castle in mere moments. Instead of sneering at that, a smart man would realize what it means. That you stand before a true goddess. Not an impostor like you and your friends. Not a charlatan who must trick humans into giving up their energy to fuel my immortality.” I stood up and glared at them, my voice going low, strong, and very hot. “I am the Dark Star!” I stretched my arms out as my body burst into shimmering amethyst light. “Forged by the Void and Faerie herself. The Triple Trinity. Witch, Goddess, and Faerie. Wolf, Lion, and Dragon. Love, Lions, and Luna. This land is mine. All land and sea and sky are mine! And I am fucking tired of putting up with pathetic gods like you taking up space in my world. Strutting around, acting as if you've helped the human race when all you do is take. Take! Take! Take!” I moved down a step with each word and the castle trembled with my footfalls.
Enki and Enlil backed away, but Anu stood firm, his eyes starting to glow with magic.
“I don't want to start a war with you. I've come to bring peace. Not just to Bahrain but the entire world. This island will become a legend; the Garden of Eden reborn. From here, I will change life on this planet for the better. I will use my magic to truly help the humans who you've stolen from for so long. No more wars. No more hatred. No more abuse and manipulations. I will bring Heaven to Earth.”
“And you intend to rule it,” Anu sneered.
“Someone must.” I spread my hands affably. “I've been given this gift, and I intend to use it to launch a final war. I'm tired of fighting all of you in tiny skirmishes. I'm getting nowhere while the human race suffers. That ends now. I will protect the humans from the influence of Gods and from the harm they do each other. I could simply wish it to happen, but I know that some of you are good people.” I glanced at Enki. “Some of you honestly respect humans and care for them. So, I'm giving you a chance to come forward. Join me and help to bring everlasting peace to this planet.”
“Or?” Anu asked as he narrowed his eyes at me.
“Or die.” I shrugged as if it were obvious.
“Fuck y—”
Before Anu could finish his insult, I absorbed him. There one second and ash the next. Starlight encompassed the god and sucked up his magic as it burned away his body in the blink of an eye. Power jolted through me, and I sighed as it settled into my star. Its heart—my heart—was nearly black now and that purple darkness was seeping out to the glowing points, but I wasn't worried. This was the process that would free me and a true goddess isn't afraid of the dark.
“Holy fuck,” Sin whispered as the other two men backed away from the sooty snowflakes that had once been their friend.
“Be at ease.” I held my hand up to
